Cotton cleaner



Sept.-24, 1929. c. s. cox 1,729,503

COTTON CLEANER Filed Sept. 20, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l WITNESSES $1 a Q (/ij iygjz 511 mm a :3 a BY I s I.

ATTORNEY Sept. 24, 1929. c. s. cox 1,729,503

co'rrou 01.2mm:

.Filed Sept. 20, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WWI/i Ma m? ATTORNEY i I t i \i 5 (Z5 I 45 a 1 illlll 61 5 Patented Sept. 24, 1929 PATENT OFFICE UNITED STATES CARY S. COX, OF FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONEIALF TO HENRY E.

. WALROND, OF FRESNO, CALIFORNIA COTTON CLEANER Application filed September 20, 1928.

This invention relates to a cleaner for cotton fibers.

An object of the invention is the provision of a device for removing foreign material from cotton either before or after the cotton has been ginned, and in which air is mixed with the cotton and forced through a restricted path by a revolving element which causes the heavier particles to be thrown outwardly and collected while the cotton is discharged through a path independently of the discharge of the heavier particles.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device for removing heavier particles from cotton and for forcing a controlled volume of air with the cotton and foreign matter through a restricted curved path and a restricted straight path, whereby the heavier particles or foreign matter will be thrown outwardly and discharged through restricted openings along the path of the air treated cotton means being employed for collecting the discharged heavier particles while admitting further controlled quantities of air to the 2 cotton.

This invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed descriptionin connection with the accompany ing drawings; nevertheless, it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the disclosure being susceptible of such changes and modifications as shall define no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

, In the drawings Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of the cotton cleaning device constructed according to the principles of my invention,

Figure 2 is a side view in elevation of the cotton cleaning device with parts broken away,

Figure 3 is a plan View of the same,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical section of the cotton cleaner showing the adjustable vanes.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a frame is provided which consists of a plurality of horizontal beams 10, 11, and 12,

which are connected together by means of Serial No. 307,154.

transverse bars 13, 14, 15, and 16. Pairs of standards 17 and 18 aid in supporting the horizontally disposed beams 10 and 11. Located intermediate the standards 17 and 18 are short standarcs 19 and 20 which are respectively connected between pairs of the horizontal beams 10, 11, and 11, 12.

A cotton feeding chute 21 extends the width of the frame adjacent one end and is adapted to be connected to a ginning device or some other means for supplying the conduit or feeding means 21 with lint or unginned cotton. This feeding chute has a relatively narrow depth, as compared to its width, in order that the cotton may be fed in sheet like form to the discharge opening The inner end of the chute is curved downwardly, as shown at 23, and is cut away at the inner end to provide an opening 24 for the admission of air. This opening is limited at its lower end by an upstanding flange 25 formed along the upper edge of a curved member 26. A sliding gate valve 27 is mounted upon the inner end of the chute 21 and is moved across the opening 24 to control the amount of air entering the forward end of the chute 21. A bolt 28 passing through a slot 29 is screwed into the chute 21 and is adapted to maintain the adjusted position of the gate valve 27.

Ribs 30 are spaced from each other and maintained in position by means of bolts 30- extending the width of the cotton cleaning device. These ribs are also spaced from the side walls 32 of the housing 33. A rib is shown in detail in Fig. 4, and is provided with a plurality of grooves 35 on which are slidably mounted slats 38. Lugs 38 are provided on the inner face of each rib and upon opposite sides of a slat 38 for viding in guiding the slat radially. A vane 39 is secured to one face and at the lower end of each slat 38 and is provided with perforations in which is inserted a bolt 39 This bolt is adapted to pass through any one of a plurality of tacle.

31 of the casing 26. 50.

maintaining the valve in closed position when desired. This valve may be so revolved that it will release the particles collected in the receptacle 33 and also admit air to the same.

A discharge conduit is in open communication at its inner end with the receptacle 33 so that cotton may be conducted away from the housing 33 and discharged through an opening 46 where it is collected in any approved manner. The conduit isrelatively flat and extends approximately the width of the frame. The ribs 30 are extended as shown at 47 and are provided with slots in its walls which are similar to the slots in the ribs 30. Plates or slats 49 are slidable in such slots and are adjusted and retained in place in a manner which is similar to the adjustment of the slats 31. These slats engage the heavier par ticles so that they will fall between the slats and fall into a receptacle 50 which is similar to the receptacle 33 and embraces the bottom ofthe discharge conduit 45. The receptacle has an inclined wall 51 tapering towards a circular casing 52.

A rotary valve 53 is mounted in the casing 52 and is adapted to control the discharge of material from the receptacle 50, and also for the purpose of admitting air to said recep- A discharge spout 54 is incorporated in the receptacle 52 and has its lower end open, as shown at 55 through which the particles located in the receptacle are discharged.

' A drum is located within the casing 26 and has its outer walls spaced from the inner wall of the casing. A plurality of spaced angle iron blades 61 are securedto the outer face of the drum and have their free ends moving in close association with the lugs This drum is driven by means of a shaft 62 which in turn is revolved in any approved manner.

The operation of my device is as follows: As has been stated, cotton lint or unginned cotton is fed to the chute 21 either from the gin or in any approved manner after which it passes through the elongated opening 22 onto the revolving blade 61 of the drum 60. The cotton is carried on by the blades in the restricted space between the drum andthe housing '33. The centrifugal action imparted to the cotton and foreign matter causes the cotton to travel through the restricted space and to be discharged at sufficient speed through the discharge conduit 45. The heavier particles are thrown outwardly against the inner face of the housing 33, and are engaged by the spaced slats 31 so that they may be sufficiently checked in their movement to pass between said slats and into the receptacle 33. Any particles which have not been removed and discharged into said receptacle fall through the openings between the slats 49 in passing through the chute 45. The slats 49 aid in retarding the movement of the heavier particles which tend to move by gravity to- .vards the bottoms of the slots. These particles falling into the receptacle 50 are collected on the valve 53. The particles which enter the receptacle 33 fall upon the valve 41 and these valves are operated to open position for discharging the heavier particles through the spouts 36 .and 54.

i A predetermined quantity of air'is drawn through the opening 24 by the revolving blades 61 and is mixed with the cotton for aiding in causing separation of the heavier particles from the cotton. By properly positioning the valves 41 and 53, a predetermined quantity of air is drawn through the spouts 36 and 54, through the receptacles 33 and 50 and through the spaces between the slats 31 and 49. The admission of this air will aid in maintaining the cotton out of contact with the slats 31 and 49, and will further provide for the proper separation of the heavier particles or foreign matter from the cotton. The valve 27 is adapted to be adjusted to control the proper volume of air admitted to the cotton in the restricted space between the drum 60 and the casing 26. The slats 31 as well as the blades 61 maybe provided with teeth to produce a'carding action on the cotton.

I claim 1. A cotton cleaner comprising a housing, a drum provided with a plurality of blades and mounted for revolution in the housing, means for feeding cotton to be cleaned to the blades, ribs in the housing, spaced slats carried by the ribs and providing passages leading into the housing, the heavier particles from the cotton being adapted to be forced by centrifugal action of the blades through said passages, means for conducting the cleaned cotton from -the casing, and means adjusting the slats towards or away from the blades.

2. A cotton cleaner comprising a housing, a drum provided with a plurality of blades and mounted for revolution in the housing, means for feeding cotton to be-cleaned to the blades, means for supplying air to the housing,'means for collecting heavier particles thrown off by the blades, a conduit for conducting the cleaned cotton from the casing, said conduit having passages to receive heavier particles from the cotton, the housing being extended in embracing relation with the conduit to receive the particles, the housing and extension being provided with discharge spouts, and valves in the spouts for controlling the discharge of the particles therefrom and for the admission of air to the housing and extension.

3. A cotton cleaner comprising a housing, a drum provided With a plurality of blades and mounted for revolution in the housing, means for feeding cotton to be cleaned to the blades, means for supplying air to the housing, means for collecting heavier particles thrown off by the blades, a conduit for conducting the cleaned cotton from the housing, said conduit having openings to receive heavier particles from the cotton, the housing being extended in embracing relation with the conduit to receive the particles, the housing and extension being provided With discharge spouts, Valves in the spouts for controlling the discharge of the particles therefrom and for the admission of air to the housing and extension, portions of the Walls of the housing and extension being inclined towards the spouts for directing the particles into the spouts.

CARY S. COX. 

